by Afton Locke
Realizing she had to convince him more than Alan, Shelley ripped off her bandage and smeared her finger through the healing wound. “What is this?”
He winced. “Blood.”
“Blood comes from violence, enemy against enemy,” she blurted out. “It also stands for kinship. One pack, one blood.”
He nodded but didn’t speak.
“Alan would be Moonlight’s most loyal pack member, but only if you accept him. Against any enemy outside the pack, he’d be a killing machine. The best weapon you’ve got.”
Before he could answer her, his cell phone rang. After he answered it, anguish swept across his features. “Who is this?”
She crossed her fingers. Please don’t let Alan be injured or in deeper trouble.
“Is Alan all right?” she asked after he pocketed the phone.
“That was an anonymous caller. He said if we don’t evacuate our homes and businesses, they’ll be destroyed.”
“Oh, no. Starwood, again. What should we do?”
“You and your mother need to stay in the house.” He bit his lip and loped from the room.
Her heart and Alan’s fate—as well as the pack’s—were in his hands now. She had done everything she could.
Chapter Ten
By the time Alan arrived at his father’s place, he’d sweat so much his clothes felt painted on. It was a wonder he’d arrived in one piece. His eyes had been so blurry and wet he’d barely seen the road. His hands weren’t too steady on the wheel, either.
Yeah, hell, he’d cried like an effing baby. Because he’d believed in Shelley’s love and couldn’t stand to be the pack’s prize fool once again. He was old enough to know better.
He closed the front door behind him and staggered against it. The beast coiled at the base of his spine and filled his lungs with silent howls. He held his trembling hands, palms up, and stared at them. His beast had popped out so often down here, he was almost used to it.
His body ached to do something—usually, to tear someone’s head off. When he’d thrown the knife in the diner, he’d wanted to slit Curtis’s throat open. Not Shelley’s. How could she have acted so cruel to him? Had she really made a fool of him all along? Every time she’d gazed at him with tender passion, had she been laughing at him inside?
His fingers convulsed. Did he want to tear her apart? No, he couldn’t picture it, even if he tried. If Curtis had been the one lying in bed, tossing insults at him, he would have jumped on him and tried to strangle him.
Not Shelley. He hadn’t even touched her. She was his mate. He couldn’t hurt his father, either. No matter how out of control the beast made him, it seemed to be programmed not to harm the ones he loved.
Maybe her theory was right, after all. He tugged off his sweaty bandana and let out a shaky breath followed by a laugh. Her theory. Yeah…. She’d tested him. The love she’d shown him over the past few days couldn’t be faked, but a tiny part of him wasn’t sure. How could someone so beautiful and giving want an ugly, violent freak like him?
He stared at the bandana, which he only wore here in Florida. Even though he knew he’d never harm her intentionally, being caught in the crossfire of his rage had almost killed her. He couldn’t take that chance again.
The aroma of country ham drew him to the kitchen. Although he wasn’t hungry, the wolf in him craved meat to replace the energy he’d spent. Rita stood in front of the stove, and his father sat at the table.
Rita turned. “Good morning, Alan. I’ll fix you a plate.”
“Thanks,” he replied, taking a seat at the table.
“How’s Shelley?” Dad asked.
“Recovering,” Alan said.
“Don’t blame yourself.” To his surprise, his father’s frail hand covered his. “Curtis is a first-class ass.”
Alan grabbed a piece of ham from the plate Rita gave him and swallowed after a couple of bites. “Move north with me.”
Dad dropped his fork. “Why the hell would I want to do that?”
“This place is bad for me.” He glared at the charred orange grove out the window. “I want Shelley to come, too. We can even open another restaurant if you want.”
“I’m dying. I don’t have the energy to open a lemonade stand, let alone another restaurant.”
Alan rubbed his forehead. “I thought you wanted me to change my career to the restaurant business.”
“Unless you plan to run Moonlight Diner, I don’t give a rat’s ass what you do.” He released a wheezy sigh. “This is my home now. I want to die here.”
Alan stared at his plate and nodded. Shelley would probably feel the same way. Maybe they would change their minds and follow him after he left. A chill made him shudder, jiggling the silverware at his plate.
For the first time, the thought of being alone scared him worse than the beast.
Rita placed a stack of pancakes on the table. “I’ll come back to clean up when you’re done.”
“You’re never going to stop feeling sorry for yourself, are you?” the old man asked, eating a pancake with his fingers.
“How can I?” Alan ripped his pancake in half and dragged it through a puddle of syrup. “This fucked-up wolf almost killed his mate. At least give me the dignity of leaving before the pack throws me out.”
“I hate to break it to you, but nobody’s perfect. Isn’t being born and enjoying life worth the flaws we have to put up with?”
“For most people and wolves,” Alan replied. “Not me.”
“Well, you’re not that damn special,” Don groused. “It’s high time you got over yourself and made the best of things.”
Alan left his breakfast half-eaten on his plate, and bolted toward the phone. He had the number for the airline memorized. Closing his eyes, he imagined himself suspended in the sky, getting away from this place. He’d deal with the loneliness. It had to be better than this gut-wrenching misery of not belonging.
As soon as he touched the phone, it rang. The vibration raced up his arm, making the beast in him jump.
“Alan?” As soon as he heard Shelley’s voice, he wished he hadn’t answered it.
“I didn’t mean any of it!” she cried. “I was testing you.”
“I know.” He whispered the words so softly, he wasn’t sure if she heard them.
“I’m so sorry.” The emotion in her voice reached through the phone and caressed him like a gentle hand. “You know I love you.”
When tears leaked from his eyes and raced down his cheeks, he batted them away. “It doesn’t change anything.”
“Of course it does,” she protested. “It was the only way to prove your pack is immune to the anger.”
“But you weren’t immune. You still got caught in the crossfire.” He paced. Dishes clinked in the kitchen as Rita cleaned up. “I’m too violent, and it won’t change as long as I’m here.”
“It’s a violent world, Alan. Look at what a rival pack did to us three years ago.”
“I’m not a rival pack. I’m supposed to be safe.” He let out a raspy sigh. “Come north with me, Shelley. We could build a new life.”
The silence on the other end lasted so long, he wondered if she’d not heard him or if the line had gone dead. Memories of holding her drifted through his mind, her orange-sweet scent so intense he almost smelled it. Would they fade as the years without her passed by?
“Shelley? Please say yes. Dad refuses, but I could take him along for his own good.”
“Don’t do this,” she answered with a sob in her voice. “Don’t make me choose.”
“Virginia has farmland, too. We could live in the country and have an apple orchard. The winter nights are colder, but I’d keep you warm.”
She sniffed. “You know I can’t leave the pack.”
“I’m leaving.” Alan squeezed the phone while a new layer of sweat covered his head. “With or without you.”
“Wait,” she called out before he could hang up. “The S
tarwood pack called Derek after you left. They said if we don’t evacuate our homes and businesses, they’ll be destroyed.”
“Then you have to come with me. Have your mother pack you a bag. She can come, too.”
“No, you have to stay and fight. The pack needs you!”
He gripped his forehead. “What the pack needs is to get rid of internal threats like me. It needs to focus on the external enemy.”
“Then don’t come over. Just go.” She hung up, the dial tone sounding like the flat line of a once-beating heart.
***
Two days later, the Moonlight pack gathered at Citrus Lake. Shelley swiped back a hank of hair as she helped set food on the outdoor tables. With Alan’s help, The Defenders had taken out Starwood’s Alpha and second-in-command yesterday in a raid.
Pack members threw tonight’s party to celebrate a new era of peace and to wish Alan farewell. His flight left tomorrow. With swimming in mind, she’d worn a pink bikini under her shorts.
Nothing mattered more than the pack’s safety, she kept reminding herself as she lit the centerpiece candles and set out beer glasses. She’d barely slept last night, wondering what it would be like to go north with him and live the life of a human.
She couldn’t leave the pack if she wanted to. It was part of her. Without it to care for, she’d be dead inside. It would kill their love. And if it didn’t kill her spirit, it would eventually sicken her and kill her body. Of course, being without her mate might do the same thing.
After she lit another candle, she coaxed the tiny flame along with the hope struggling to take root inside her. Tonight’s farewell included a ceremony to officially claim Alan as part of the Moonlight pack. If he felt the sincerity deeply enough, maybe he would stay.
When Derek left the barbecue hog spit, he caught her eye and nodded. The ceremony was on. Alan pulled up in his rental car. He and Rita helped his father out. The older man wore a short-sleeved shirt with a bright tropical print Shelley hadn’t seen him wear in years. She led them to a table while country rock played in the background.
“Something smells damn good,” Don said. “I could eat a horse.”
“We have a whole pig on the spit,” Rand replied, “but we’ve got something planned first.”
Shelley squeezed Alan’s lean waist and gave the end of his black bandana a playful tug. In his matching black tank top and jeans, he looked like a sexier-than-sin bandit. How could she ever let him go?
He kissed her on the cheek. “What’s going on?”
Derek motioned him to the center table and handed him an unlit candle. “Hold this.”
“Why?” he asked.
“I’m inducting you into the Moonlight pack.” Derek picked up a lit candle and held it in front of him.
“Are you sure?” Alan asked. “I was never really part of the old pack.”
“That’s been the problem the whole time,” the Alpha said.
“What is this?” Alan narrowed his eyes at Curtis, who stood with crossed arms but a neutral expression on his face. “Another joke? Can’t you people let me leave with a little dignity? I promise I’ll never bother you again.”
Shelley clasped her hands together as Alan plopped the unlit candle on the table and headed toward the car.
“Eat up, Dad,” he muttered. “Rita, bring him to the car when he’s ready to go home.”
“No, no, no,” Barbara said, darting from the crowd to grab his arm. “The guest of honor is not allowed to leave the party.”
Pinching her lips together to keep them from quivering, Shelley stepped in front of him.
“I can’t stop you from leaving, Alan, but let the pack do this for you. Please. I swear it’s not a trick.”
A heavy sigh shook his shoulders, but he headed back to the table and picked up the unlit candle.
“Do you accept this pack as yours, wherever you are, and me as your Alpha?” Derek asked.
When Alan’s dark gaze—vulnerable and questioning—sought Shelley’s face, she smiled at him with all the love she felt in her heart.
“I do,” he said hoarsely.
Derek lit his candle and picked up a small knife. Everyone watched as the Alpha ran the blade across his forearm, leaving behind a red line. Moonlight glistened on the drops of blood. When he handed Alan the knife, the other man hesitated a moment. Shelley bit her lip, tasting her own blood.
Finally, he rolled up his sleeve and sliced—ever so slowly—his own arm. After turning it face up, he held it toward Derek.
The other man covered the wound with his. “We are one pack, one blood. Curtis?”
Shelley held her breath as everyone stared at Alan’s rival with expectant eyes. What was going on? The pack bonding ceremony usually occurred between a wolf and its Alpha.
After standing still for several long seconds, he finally walked over and took the knife from Alan.
“Well, this won’t be the first scar I’ve borne for you.” With a grunt, he cut his flesh.
The sight of his blood reminded her of prom night, making her stomach rebel against the party food she’d snacked on earlier. Alan stared at it, too, his lips twitching. Would it incite the beast in him? If Derek had discussed this part of the ceremony with her, she would have talked him out of it. It was too dangerous.
To her surprise, the men rubbed their arms together, smearing their mingled blood. One pack. One blood.
“We’re brothers now,” Curtis declared.
Shelley rushed forward to wipe their wounds with a wet cloth Barbara supplied. Because the other woman had saved her life and helped plan tonight’s ceremony, their friendship was stronger than ever.
“Oh, Curtis. Alan.” She wiped tears with the back of her arm. “I’m so amazed. So proud.”
“Let’s get the party started,” Curtis said. “I’m going to snag some pork before your father eats it all.”
Shelley slid her arms around Alan and squeezed. “Thank you. That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m still leaving,” he said.
Her heart fell to her knees. “I know. Eat quickly. I want to do some things to you underwater.”
And a lot more after that. He might be leaving, but she planned to make love to him until the moment his plane left the ground.
He smiled against her temple. “Promise?”
Under the moon, the Moonlight pack danced to southern blues and rock. They tore into the roast pig, leaving nothing but a carcass, and washed it down with cold beer. Before long, splashes filled the air as they flung off their clothes and raced into the warm, dark lake water.
She only ate a few bites of food because she wanted Alan more. They clung to a thicket of reeds at the side of the pond. He slipped his hand down the back of her wet bathing suit. Loving the possessive way he caressed her buttocks, she looped her arm around his wet shoulders.
When he eased a finger into her depths, her head dropped back. The moonlight flooded her eyes as his lips grazed hers. His breath and beard tickled and teased, igniting a fire brighter than the one that had claimed part of her orchard.
Her mate. Her man. If only for tonight.
He slid another finger inside her, expanding and tightening her core at the same time.
“I need you,” she muttered. “All of you.”
“Here in public?”
“Who cares?” she laughed. “We’re all family now.”
The surface of the water between them ruffled as he fumbled with himself below. In seconds, the hot, smooth head of his cock entered her folds. Not stopping. Not asking. Taking. Her knees drifted toward the surface while each muscle in her body went slack. Every nerve centered on the spot where they joined. She would have slipped below and drowned if his unique energy didn’t fill her body, making her feel so hot and full.
“Alan,” she said, followed by a sigh. Forming a tight seal around his flesh, she felt every ridge and vein. Would never forget…how he felt.
How he sounded when a growl of pleasure vibrated his throat. He may have bonded with the other men in blood, but this was how they joined.
Grasping her hips, he held her immobile and helpless to resist his pounding thrusts. As if she wanted to. His mouth tasted so delicious, better than any barbecue. Her tongue went wild, exploring every inch of his full lips. He sucked it deep into his mouth while he seated himself even deeper in her womb.
He couldn’t leave! It wasn’t physically possible when they were so close.
Hopefully, no one suspected what they were doing. Not that she cared. He was her man, and she’d never felt more primitive. More like a wolf. For the first time in years, she didn’t give a damn about farming or taking care of others. The last thing she wanted was to be a shallow, self-centered teenager again. She simply wanted to fill her needs, and what she needed was him. His cock, his love, his presence.
She locked her legs around him and rode him hard. Taking, taking, taking. Her fingers, as frantic as her swollen cleft ringing his cock, roved over his scalp, memorizing every curve.
Mmm…. Maybe she could visit him often. The pack didn’t need her here every minute of every day, did it?
Each nerve in her clitoris pulsed, so raw and sensitive it nearly drove her out of her mind. Her hair, damp from the water and their sweat, slapped against her neck. As they moved, her hard, achy nipples rubbed against his hot, wet chest. Nothing had ever felt more perfect. More right.
A sharp yip escaped her throat when her pelvis exploded. She mashed her chest against his. Dug her nails into his shoulders to keep from drowning. His teeth scraped across her neck and closed around a tendon, mimicking the mating bite he’d once etched there. The teasing sensation made her buck even harder, hammering herself onto his cock. When his hot seed bathed her, she gasped and gazed up at the moon.
It was three-quarters full—close enough to her fertile time to be risky.
He grasped her chin, possessively like a true mate. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” If she couldn’t have him, she might have his child, but she wouldn’t tell him so to keep him here. The new pack could use some pups. How she would love to have the first.
